Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz, the Las Cruces High School senior known as “Jos the Boss,” has solidified her position as the top-ranked youth amateur in the United States after securing major victories at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships and the 2025 Brandenburg Cup. The 106-pound Standout, who trains under her stepfather Danny Melendrez at the Doña Ana Village Boxing Club, now holds 16 national amateur titles. Her recent run of dominance comes as she balances her final year of high school with a demanding international schedule as Team USA’s captain.
The New Mexico native recently returned from her international debut in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, where she claimed a gold medal at the Brandenburg Cup. Competing in the Youth Under 19th Tournament, Olayo-Muñoz defeated Italy’s Amelia Sula by unanimous decision in the 48-kg division. This victory followed her successful campaign at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships in Richmond, Virginia, where she won two bouts to capture the national title in December 2024. These performances are especially notable considering she missed the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships due to medical reasons, a setback she describes as a “lesson” that made her more determined.
Her technical approach and conditioning have become hallmarks of her style, which mirrors the discipline seen in rising professionals like Daniel Dubois during his own amateur ascent. Olayo-Muñoz credits her physical engine to running track for Las Cruces High School, a supplement to her rigorous training at the Doña Ana Village Boxing Club. Despite having a 0% KO rate as recorded on BoxRec, her boxing record of 12 wins and 3 losses reflects a high-volume scoring style that has overwhelmed domestic and international opponents alike.
Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz targets gold on the international stage
Serving as Team USA captain in Germany marked a significant milestone for the young boxer, who has been training since the age of five. Olayo-Muñoz stated that the leadership role motivated her to push the team to new limits. Her focus remains “locked in” on international competition, noting that she missed her junior prom last year to travel with the national team. “My mom and my coaches always tell me those are the sacrifices you have to make to be great,” Olayo-Muñoz said regarding her busy schedule.
The Las Cruces standout fights for reasons that go beyond personal accolades. She frequently dedicates her ring performances to her grandmother, a breast cancer survivor. To honor her, Olayo-Muñoz wears custom trunks featuring a breast cancer ribbon and pink socks during national events. This personal motivation has propelled her through 15 career bouts since her first competitive split-decision victory in 2015. Her community has recognized this dedication for years, with the Doña Ana County Commissioners even proclaiming “Joscelyn Olayo-Muñoz Day” when she was just 10 years old.
The tactical maturity she displays in the ring often draws comparisons to seasoned veterans, much like how Shane Mosley Jr employed a disciplined strategy to secure his own high-stakes victories. For Olayo-Muñoz, the mental game is as important as the physical one. She noted that her time away for medical reasons in 2024 made her hungrier to show the world what they had missed. According to USA Boxing, she currently holds the number one ranking in the youth female 106-pound division.
Balancing high school life with elite amateur boxing
Managing the transition from a local gym to the global stage requires a stable support system. Coach Danny Melendrez has been a constant presence in her corner since her first sessions in their family living room. Their partnership has produced a consistent winner who has navigated the challenges of the youth circuit with composure. Olayo-Muñoz often reflects on the “spark” she felt during her first hand-raised victory, a feeling she says no other sport could replicate.
As she looks toward the future, the boxing community in New Mexico and beyond continues to monitor her progress. With a resume that includes 16 national titles and a successful international debut, she is widely considered a cornerstone of the next generation of American amateur boxing. While the professional ranks may eventually beckon, her current focus is entirely on her duties with Team USA and completing her senior year at Las Cruces High School. “I knew going into Nationals, I had unfinished business,” she said. “I went there to make a statement.”
